EXPOSED: "I Was Offered N2bn By Presidency To Follow Akpabio To APC" - Always Ibom Speaker

Onofiok Luke, the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, has alleged that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Presidency offered him N2billion and the deputy governorship slot to dump the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Luke spoke during a solidarity rally for the State Governor, Udom Emmanuel and Senator from the state, Bassey Albert in Uyo, the state capital.

The Speaker noted that he would rather quit politics than defect to the APC.

According to Luke, “They said the President had sent words for me to become the deputy governor. They offered me N2bn, but I said no. If you like, offer me N10bn, mine is no.

Speaking on the defection of former Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, Luke said the action was borne out of personal interest.

He insisted that the defection was aimed at grabbing and sharing power.

“They have no plan for us and no plans for the future of our state. It was all about them. It was only about power grabbing and power-sharing, but by God’s amazing grace, we will overcome them,” Luke said.

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Speaker Onofiok Luke has been honoured as Nigeria's Young Achiever of the Year

Speaker Onofiok Luke has been honoured as Nigeria's Young Achiever of the Year. He was honoured by Daily Asset Newspaper on Tuesday in Abuja. The award was received on behalf of the speaker by Mr Imam Imam, Chief Press Secretary to Sokoto State Governor, Mr Aminu Tambuwal.

According to the management team of the paper, the Speaker was found worthy of the award for his "effective and strong leadership; inspiring the Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly to take crucial decisions in the legislative process" and for "working tirelessly to ensure harmony between the legislative and executive arms of government in the state in the overall interest of the people, thereby distinguishing himself as a young political leader of repute in the country."

The Award of GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR was won by two governors, Arc Darius Dickson Ishaku, Governor of Taraba State and Alhaji Mohammed A. Abubakar, Governor of Bauchi State. While a renowned political activist and anti-corruption crusader, Senator Dino Melaye was chosen as LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR, an industrialist and businessman, Igho Charles Sanomi, CEO of Taleveras Group, was chosen as BUSINESSPERSON  OF THE YEAR.

A foremost technocrat and finance expert, Nnamdi Okonkwo, the Managing Director/CEO of Fidelity Bank emerged as BANKER OF THE YEAR.

The University of the Year award went to two great institutions, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) and the University of Ilorin while the YOUNG PERSON OF THE YEAR was won by Hon. Luke Onofiok, Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. The Editorial Board voted Plateau united FC, Jos.   As SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR.

Two Telecomm companies NTEL and SLOT Systems Ltd.  are joint winners of the TELECOMS COMPANY OF THE YEAR.

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Enobong Uwah lauds Onofiok Luke, AKHA at, 25

By Osondu Ahirika

The Chairman of the Uyo Capital City Development Authourity, Prince Enobong Uwah has felicitated with the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, AKHA, Rt Hon. Barrister Onofiok Luke and the entire members of the State Legislature on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the House.

Prince Uwah in a chat with newsmen commended Speaker Onofiok Luke for giving the House, what he described as, a steady, purposeful and dynamic leadership since he assumed office.

While noting that, it is significant for Rt. Hon. Luke to be the one leading the AKHA at this threshold of her history, the UCCDA Chairman pointed out that the Barrister Luke has served so meritoriously making youths, whose demographic he represents in the power loop of the state so proud of his performance.

Prince Uwah maintained that, in the last 25 years, and given his years in the Executive arm of government, the Legislature has remained a bastion of democracy and a partner in progress with the other arms of government to expedite development in the state.

Prince Uwah who thanked the House for making people oriented laws that impact positively on society, siezed the occasion to express confidence that the AKHA will expeditiously amend the Laws establishing the UCCDA, as well as enact new enabling laws in line with the new policy drive and emerging challenges faced by the authority to help it achieve its core mandate of development control in the capital city.

He charged the members to remain focused and rally round the performing Speaker, Barrister Luke, as well as, continue to work harmoniously with the Governor Udom Emmanuel led Executive in order to actualize the lofty dreams and aspirations of the people of the state.

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Onofiok Luke wins Business Hallmark Speaker of the year award

The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke, has received the 2017 Business Hallmark Speaker of the Year award. The event was the Business Hallmark People of the Year 2017 award ceremonies held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives and member representing Isoko Federal Constituency of Delta State, Hon. Leo Ogor, won the 2017 Lawmaker of the Year award.

Other awardees include Ibrahim Magu of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC; Prof. Is-haq Olarenwaju Oloyede of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB; Oscar Onyeama of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE; Peter Amangbo of Zenith Bank; Mr Nsima Ekere of the NDDC, and Tony Okoroji of the Copyright Society of Nigeria, among others.

The Akwa Ibom Speaker was represented at the event by the member representing Ukanafun State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly, Hon. Otobong Akpan.

Business Hallmark's award follows last week's honour of the Speaker by the Akwa Ibom state government. The Speaker received the state's 30th anniversary award for his "sterling contributions to the advancement and development of youths in Nigeria."

Three weeks ago, it was the Nigerian Medical Association which came calling with a special award in recognition of the Speaker's "outstanding contribution to the enhancement of healthcare delivery in Akwa Ibom state".

The NMA noted with gratitude some of the honourable speaker's bills which were passed into law and which will enhance healthcare delivery to Akwa Ibom people. Among them are the State Health Insurance Scheme bill and the Primary Healthcare development agency bills.

Kufre Okon
Press Secretary to the Honourable Speaker

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